Deputy Principal in Balangoda abuses 4 students

Parents of four students of Grade Six, in a school in Balangoda alleged to have been subject to abuse by the Deputy Principal, who is also a teacher of Buddhism, have lodged a complaint at the Balangoda Education Zonal office.

Although the complaint was made to the Education Zonal office on the 7th of this month, since the officials had not taken any proper steps or action in this regard even up to yesterday (10) a large group of parents from this particular school engaged in a protest campaign blocking the Colombo-Badulla main Road at Puwakgahawela.

Those who participated in the protest said that, the suspect teacher should be taken into custody immediately and that he should be transferred with immediate effect to another school, as well.

The Assistant Superintendant of Police of Balangoda D. J. Athulathmudalie and Officer-In-Charge of the Balangoda Police Station Udayana Bandara Tennakoon who had gone to the venue as soon as they heard of the protest said that, they will arrest the suspect teacher immediately and produce him in Court. Thereafter, the protestors wound up their protest and left the area.

Balangoda Police said that the suspect Deputy Principal was taken into custody yesterday evening. Police have launched investigations after visiting the relevant school to find out whether other students of this school have been subject to abuse in the same manner or not. A little while later, officials from the Balangoda Education Zonal office arrived at the school and told the parents that legal action will be taken against the suspect teacher.

These students had participated in the concert that had been held at the school on the 6th in conjunction with Teachers' Day. At the end of the concert the students had gone to a room in the school to change their clothes, which was when the abuse had taken place. The students had informed their parents of this incident.